Free EL equipment, thanks to RUV

The use of Electroluminescence (EL) equipment to protect the quality in solar module manufacturing, is getting more popular. EL can be used for string testing and for matrix or laminate testing. In some cases EL images serve as a quality passport for each and every produced module. But obviously these kind quality measures have a downside. As always …it costs a lot of money. Not only one or more EL units have to be installed in each module line. Also, these measures will decrease the yield and increase the scrap and repair rate. Some say it is the cost of high quality standards. That is true, however it doesn’t have to be like that.

There is a way to use EL, protect module quality, but with little cost or no cost at all. RUV can create the financial means that can be used to install this whole range of equipment. RUV as a cash cow, to fill up the financial deficit that the need for outgoing quality protection leaves behind.

One of the major problems in solar module manufacturing still is the quality of incoming cells, especially referring to (micro) cracks. RUV is capable of preventing hazardous cracks from going into the line in the first place, with high reliability and fully automatically in a stringer cycle. It leads to reduction of breakage, reduction of string and matrix repair. Also the data can be used as a strong case for claiming a refund for these unstable cells. On top of that it will increase module efficiency, which is direct increase in financial value.

Currently several projects are underway with this RUV / EL combination both in Rimas turnkey module lines as in other projects. Research on the effects of RUV on existing lines, with or without EL, can be done by doing high volume test runs. RUV categorizes the cells. By processing all the cells, the effects of these categories will be speak for themselves. Obviously the availability of data feedback and analysis on breakage, repair, waste and efficiency, is a necessity.

If you want to know more about the possibilities to run a test, please contact Ronald Ceulemans, Rimas’ Sales Director Solar, at Dit e-mailadres is beschermd tegen spambots. U heeft JavaScript nodig om het te kunnen zien. or through the general phone number.

RIMAS, as a supplier of module manufacturing equipment, can supply a set of RUV + EL string and matrix/module testing equipment.